Beautiful Durban

I've hardly slept. Correction. I have not slept --but for very good reason.

I had the privilege of being present for the birth of beautiful baby boy named Durban, his mother a good friend of mine. He was born at 12:55 am on the 16th of April (he made it past tax day) and weighed in at 6lbs 20z and was 19 and half inches long. He has really long legs, long fingers and the cutest little nose. I can't wait to go back to see him and his mummy later this evening.

Congratulation mum and dad! And congratulations to the grandma, aunts and uncles. You have a keeper.

A Nod to Good Friends

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Early this evening I dropped a friend of at the airport who made the effort to visit with me during a business trip from London. Her visit was short and sweet and though we hadn't seen each other in six months we reconnected from where we left off -- it was a great visit and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. As we said goodbye to each other I felt truly honored and proud to know her. Why? Because she is a good friend in the truest, most honorable, sincerest and purest forms. In all the years I have known her, she has never faltered or betrayed me.

I've known this friend since our first days of high school and we are both still connected to other friends from our high school years. These friends too, are just as important to me with reciprocal amounts of sincerity and honesty. I have no doubt in my mind that they have a huge part in shaping the person I am today. Never have they faltered from their post of trusted and reliable friend. Sure, there will be periods of time that we do not speak with each other as our lives take control of us and our time becomes a precious commodity, but doubt has never cast a shadow over our friendship. For that I am very grateful and feel so very blessed.

My fortune of good friendships does not end here though. As I've moved through life, from England to the United States, from single life to married life, from student to motherhood I have found new unbridled friendships. They are as expressive as they are real. Without them, my world would be a lonely and unforgiving place. The time, thought and consideration they have given me has been immeasurable.

To all of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so proud and so honored to call you a friend and I thank you for accepting me and showing me kindness.

I love you.